Here at All Star Access Hire & Scaffold, we're your local access hire specialists.
When you hire an elevated work platform (EWP) from All Star, the servicing, maintenance, and pre-hire checks are already taken care of.
Behind the scenes, that means regular servicing throughout the machine’s working life and major inspections as it gets older. You can learn more about our full EWP servicing and inspection schedule here.
But on longer-term hires, or if you’re operating equipment from your own fleet, it still pays to know when something isn’t quite right.
Changes in how a machine moves, sounds, charges, or performs can be an early sign it needs attention before the next scheduled service.
Here are five things worth keeping an eye on.
Before anything else, take note of what turns up during the pre-start checks.
Damaged tyres, loose components, damaged controls, structural wear, or anything else outside the machine’s normal condition needs to be fixed up before you put it to work.
You’ll also want to check that the controls and safety functions are operating as they should.
That covers most of what you can pick up before you start. The other signs might become more noticeable once the machine is actually operating.
Leaks around hoses, fittings, cylinders, or underneath the machine are an easy one to spot.
Even a small oil leak can point to wear or damage in the hydraulic system, especially if you notice fluid levels are dropping between checks. You might also notice slower functions, reduced lifting performance, or boom or platform drift as a result.
If the machine isn’t holding pressure or performing the way it normally does, it’s worth getting it looked at.
Operators who use the same equipment regularly know how the machine normally moves.
If lifting, lowering, steering, or boom functions start feeling rougher or less responsive than usual, something may need investigating.
These could mean hydraulic pressure issues, worn components, electrical faults, or problems within the control system. So, it’s important to catch it early before a full fault develops.
Recurring fault codes or warnings shouldn’t just be cleared and forgotten.
Modern EWPs monitor a range of operating systems, so alarms or warning lights can indicate anything from a sensor issue to a fault in the electrical or safety systems.
Take note of the code and when it appears. That information can make fault finding quicker once a technician gets involved.
If the same warning keeps coming back, get the underlying issue fixed.
On electric EWPs, battery performance is usually pretty predictable when the machine is in good condition.
If you start getting noticeably shorter runtime, longer charge times, incomplete charging, or voltage dropping under load, there could be an issue with the battery itself or somewhere else in the charging system. That means it’s time for a service.
Machines can be pretty noisy, but a new knock, grind, or squeal is usually trying to tell you something.
If you hear it while lifting or steering, it can be an early sign of wear, low fluid, or a mechanical component under strain.
The noise itself may not tell you exactly what the fault is, but a noticeable change from normal operation is enough reason to have it checked.
Any fault or physical damage that could affect the safe operation of your EWP is a good sign the machine should stay off the job until it’s been checked.
If you’re hiring from All Star, just give us a call. We’ll take a look and get you back up and running ASAP. And if it’s not looking like a quick fix, we’ll organise a replacement so you can keep moving.
For your own EWP, you can book it in with our workshop team for fault finding, servicing, and repairs, even if you didn’t hire it from us.
If one of your machines isn’t running the way it should, or it’s due for a service, give us a call.
Our technicians can inspect it, diagnose any issues, and carry out the servicing or repairs needed to get it back into reliable working order.
Get in touch with the All Star team to book your EWP service.